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Both political parties are hypocritical so there is no point in discussing who has the high moral ground. The Republicans have made morals a cornerstone of their party. Now they must eat humble pie. Larry Craig pled guilty very quickly. Does an innocent man do this?

Republican leadership was correct in banishing this man because they want to protect the party. Homosexuality no longer carries the stigma that it did in previous times. This indicates the Republican Party is out of touch with most Americans.

am a democrat and even though he is a republican, I don't believe Senator Craig should resign unless he is PROVEN guilty. I feel that he was invloved in an entrapment sting which I feel should be illegal. Are there any other gay incidents involving him?

Posted By Mike Mitchell, Mount Sterling, KY : September 4, 2007 8:48 pm

I like to see the Senator take that plea back and beat that officer in court. I am sick of the tricks that police officers play and how they trap you. Terrible judgement by the Senator in pleading guilty but, in a situation like that I don't even know how I would have reacted. Fight this Senator.

Posted By Rafael Richmond Virginia : September 4, 2007 9:33 pm

I believe Sen. Craig should fight the charges against him. This is obviously a case of entrapment by the Police. What are the chances that a undercover Police Officer would be in the bathroom? If Sen. Craid did tap the Officers foot, did the Officer have to tap back? I am becoming very leary of the Police in this country. It is evident that Sen. Craig made some bad choices, however I don't believe a police witch hunt on the Senator was appropriate. I believe he was set up. Pure and simple. This is a case of making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Posted By Eugene Loughran, Wilmington, NY 12997 : September 4, 2007 10:38 pm

Entrapment – 2 : the action of luring an individual into committing a crime in order to prosecute the person for it.

This Senator gave all the signals of a hook-up to this undercover cop in what's considered to be a haven for homosexual activities in American airports. The police did not force him to tap his foot back or run his hand on the bottom of the stall divider.

The whole purpose of undercover police activity is to remain "undercover" Eugene. Police don't dress as police for undercover activities. And yes, this was a sex sting going on for months in that same airport bathroom.

You 3 need to get a clue about entrapment. This sting is no different than speed traps, undercover drug stings, and undercover prostitution stings. Are you going to go to court next time and claim entrapment the next time you get caught speeding?

Read up more about the facts of the case before you bleed your hearts out for this guy because he was "entrapped"

I guess Senator Craig might change his mind because he is not being offered the standard perks that retiring conservative Republicans expect.

You know, a slap on the back from President Bush, the Medal of Freedom from President Bush, a commuted sentance from President Bush ...

There can only be one response to this:
hahahahahaha.

This is ridiculous.

Please Sen. Craig, please reconsider. Nothing could be better for Idaho, your career and marriage, not to mention the GOP's 2008 prospects than spending the next 18 months reminding non-sex-in-the-bathroom-seeking Americans of how many times they could've innocently peered into a closed stall, blocked it with their roller bag, played footsie with the person in the stall next to them, bent down to pick up filthy toilet paper off an unspeakable airport bathroom floor, BUT DIDN'T. There but for the grace of God go ... NONE OF US. Fighting the guilty plea and staying in the Senate will show the same excellent judgment that doubtless led to the behavior described above.

this is just like when we used to burn men and women in the 1700's because we thought they were witches...or killed and discriminitaed against jews cause we thought they were bad...in a 100 years we wont care whos gay or straight and we shouldnt now. its noones business. as long as they do a goodjob, and people from idaho never complained before they said they were represented well, so let the man do his job, especially if hes good at it andmind your own business. everyone made a big deal when President Clinton was caught but at the end of the day his records show that we had the best foreign relations with other countries while he was president( you know which helped alot since we were getting attacked and in fear of our lives everyday), we had the lowest unemployment rate and we were not nearly in debt of where we are now. So enjoy good representation when you have it and go on with your life, pretending your not discriminative.

"I feel that he was invloved in an entrapment sting which I feel should be illegal."

Posted By Mike Mitchell, Mount Sterling, KY : September 4, 2007 8:48 pm

So Mike, if this is your stand on the matter, do you also think the child predators on Dateline NBC are all being intrapped? You can only be intrapped if you are coerced into doing something. Craig made the first move, the second move, the third move. He instigated it. There was no intrapment there. He knew what he was doing.

Whether he resigns or not is between him and the people he represents in Idaho, and the republican party. He is drawing bad publicity to the republican party and other republican candidates in the upcoming election.

I doubt that he can reverse his guilty plea from the court before sept 30 (his intended resignation date).

To many people, he is guilty as charged, because he, being an educated and a law maker himself, signed the guilty plea 7 weeks after the washingroom incident.

While being gay is nothing to be ashamed of, but being gay in the closet and bashing gay people at the same time in public makes him a hyprocrite to hold a public office.

Well, in our system, a guilty plea is as good or better than any conviction. He plead guilty on his own. This guy had almost two full months to consult an attorney (and some evidence suggests he did), yet he says he felt "pressured" and "entrapped". Baloney!

Dear Larry,

you are a indeed a gift that keeps on giving.

Signed,

Your friends from across the aisle.

This the kind of guy we want in Senate? He seems to have a serious issue with keeping decisions he makes.

look at the above photo. Larry's just went "butch" on us.

I hope Senator Craig stays… just to hear the left howl!

Posted By James, Phoenix AZ : September 4, 2007 9:57 pm

Oh James, you are so mistaken. It won't be the left that is howling, you see we don't have an irrational fear of homosexuals, it's Republican's that are so vocal in calling for his resignation. Maybe they're afraid that they will turn gay if they get too close to him in the Senate hallways.

A bigger flip-flopper than Mitt Romney!

No do-overs!

Let's just give Larry Craig the benefit of the doubt. He's a politician maybe reaching under the stall with his hand was his "grass roots campaigning". You never know where one might win over a vote. Gives a whole knew meaning to political handshaking!

I can wait to see his version of kissing babies!

Gee, and I thought only Democrats shot themselves in the foot. This may not be the biggest issue, but if Craig stays or trys to stay, its only more fodder to be used against the Repubs who are in deep doo doo as it is. Let's see, Delay, Vitter, Foley, Craig...I think I missed a few, oh yeah Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld...maybe a few more?

how can someone as two faced as craig is stay in office? i am an out gay man that doesn't believe in hiding behind a beard and ruining other lives needlessly. he should have come out years ago, because he didn't just turn gay. but since he's lied about this and voted against the gay community at every turn he should get out of office. he also should hang his head in shame for lying to himself and others. IMPEACH BUSH

The republican gift that keeps on giving. Please go away. If you didn't do it why did you sign the plea deal.

Why is it for the "good" of anyone for us to treat this man so badly because he was involved in something that was possibly related to gay sex? As a country, we have let many public figures do very bad things with impunity. Is Senator Craig's true "crime" that he is demonstrating human weakness in public?

"Larry!" -Enough already! Probably was entrapment, for sure it is Karma for the GOP-their "family" values are showing......again!

Craig announces he is reconsidering resigning. And that it was a mistake to plead guilty. And he hire Vick's attorney!

Has anyone noticed that when Craig speaks he looks and sounds like a Republican preacher who is hiding something creepy or evil about himself?

It's funny how most of the guys who participate in public sex with other men tend to be extremely closeted married men or self-identify as "straight." This is not something most gay people do. They don't have to. They're honest. They like themselves. They can get dates. Poor Larry. Voted against gay marriage and voted against domestic partnership benefits. We're seeing the hypocrisy of the Republican party at it's finest. I think his wife is probably used to this, and I'm willing to wager they don't sleep in the same bed. I feel sorry for both of them, but especially her.

I have never been a good judge of liars, so I would enjoy seeing a voice stress test done on the police /Craig conversation . I believe they both lied at that meeting

On CNN’s news today we hear Craig is considering moving to withdraw his plea. Good idea.

A couple of days ago I posted a comment asking why this hadn’t been mentioned.

This evening Tuesday 9/4/07 CNN’s legal expert Toobin, one person who never mentioned this motion, offered some defensive comments in the face of Spector’s opinion, In which Spector agreed with me, suggesting Craig consider withdrawing his plea. Now Toobin is reeling under the pressure of the comments of a very senior U.S. Senator who is also an astute lawyer.

Toobin’s understandably restrained efforts to contradict Spector were not convincing. Toobin’s description of the scope of a motion to withdraw a plea was dismally unimaginative. It was also self-serving. Toobin was caught in a cross-fire between his own mis-analysis during his first comments a couple of days ago, and the contrary analysis of Senator Spector. Toobin, rather than forthrightly admit his oversight, tried to oppose Spector, a difficult feat in the face of Spector’s prestige and ability, not to mention his position among the Republican hierarchy. And all the more difficult because Spector is correct.

Toobin would have CNN’s national audience believe that this motion is only appropriate under the most egregious circumstances, amounting to an outright, facial denial of due process.

It isn’t that simple. The right to counsel is a federal constitutional right. Waiver of that right must be intelligent and informed. The facts in the police report reflect both a denial of guilt and a less than convincing factual basis. However, the court accepted a guilty plea under these circumstances, without even the review or approval of a defense lawyer.

It shouldn’t be too hard to make a persuasive argument, under the applicable case law, that the proceedings fell short of federal constitutional standards.

Pursuit of this line is beginning to look like a win for Craig.

Is this guy for real? Come on fella you might be getting some sympathy support from Specter but you've made your bed ...

I hope that Sen Larry Craig can clear his name for misbahavior, but I, as a gay AMERICAN without a misbahavior report, is waiting for a FULL apology on why he EQUATES GAY to lewd behavior. Obviously, he should step down becuase he cannot represent the general population only his own self-loathing person. Gay Amerticans are proud, repsectful and get cught in simular situation, and maybe we can use his "mistake" as ours "mistake" in the future. The issue will be for the real-predator Sen. Craig, not the gay american wishing to meet others for a life, a common ground. It is amazing that you can force use to toilets (as you think), but apparently, you have a lot to think about.... even more so to learn. Gay Americans are more enleghtned, knowledgable and respecrful then apparently you are... I will have to remember a new put down to people..... Oh.. you kust oulled a Sne. Craig.
Griffin (NYC)
PS. You should be more forgiven of yourslef and THOSE YOU HAVE PURSECUTED. HIPOCRIT

Give us a break already!

Larry, please don't drag your state and the country through this anymore. You made more than one mistake and you've admitted your guilt, its over. Tell the whole truth to your poor wife, your pastor, and God and move on. Coming out of the closet isn't as bad as you're afraid of!

I just want to say Senator Craig, fight, fight, fight for your career and your family. Entrapment is not a nice thing and you did nothing sexual. So fight for your career and your family and fight everyone you have to. Remember all the sexual scandals in the Democratic party. Remember Sandy Berger who put classified papers in his pants and socks and did not know how they got there. Remember the porn parties at Barney Franks. He nor any of the other resigned. Stand up and fight for you family, life and job. I stand with you.

The only way you, Larry Craig, are going to redeem yourself with the conservative public and your constituents is to quit being an embarassing laughing stock and to get your house in order. We need a break from you and all your stupidity (e.g., trying to withdraw your resignation after trying to withdraw your guilty plea). It makes us all sick so GROW UP and quit being a self-centered egotist! Go out and do something that betters the world while seeking humbleness and humility. After that occurs, you may just begin to redeem yourself in our eyes.

Larry– PLEASE don't resign, and please fight your guilty plea out in public, so that the American public can see what a true Republican is every day on the TV from now until the '08 election. You have the fate of the Republican party in your hands– and you can crush them by just staying in the public eye. Do it for all of America, Larry! We need the comedy. We need you on TV every night for the next 16 months. Keep fighting yourself in public. It is all just too, too precious.

Although I do not believe in the use of entrapement, I do believe Mr Craig
is in denial.

So, let me understand this. Craig plans to go to a Minnesota judge after admitting he lied under oath to another Minnesota judge and expects to be exonerated? Whoever is writing his bio must love this story.

I sure hope he stays and continues to deny that he's gay and a hypocrite. Also would like to see the Republicans attack the police officer doing his job as well as our system of justice by claiming a guilty plea is not a final adjudication.
Beside, the republican Senator from Louisiana, another family values moralizer got caught running with prostitutes and the republican leadership let him stay.

The Republican Party gladly threw Sen. Larry Craig under the bus because of embarrassment over the moral hypocrisy of party members and supporters like the co-chairman of McCain’s Florida campaign, the South Carolina campaign manager for Giuliani, Rev. Ted Haggard, Mark Foley, and Sen. David Vitter. They didn’t want prolonged publicity for another morality problem, this time involving the man Mitt Romney chose as his Senate liaison.

Now, Sen. Craig is considering not resigning. Hopefully, he will continue the fight. This will give everyone a chance to see if he is truly innocent as he now claims or just another hypocrite. It offers the chance to bring justice to not only Sen. Craig, but Minnesota policeman Sgt. Dave Karsnia, who is maligned every time Craig’s supporters say that Craig is innocent. Sen. Craig’s supporters want us to believe in his integrity because they are convinced that he lied when he said he was guilty and lied when he signed statements that he understood that the court would not accept guilty pleas from someone who was innocent. Should Sen. Craig succeed in proving he lied and gets off, then all that will be left will be perjury charges. All of America needs a chance to see if Sen. Craig is innocent or “a bad boy, a naughty boy” or “even a nasty, bad, naughty boy.”

While I disagree with many of Senator Craig's views, the incident in the Minneapolis airport restroom is disturbing for what it says about today's political climate and our judicial system. Everytime I hear the taped interview replayed, I become more empathetic to Craig's plight. I hope he fights it to the bitter end. To hell with the party!

Well every citizen needs to be charge before conviction. I did not see a true cut case against Larry Craig

Just resign already and get out of office. It's one less Republican to corrupt the already tarnished government.

Give us a break Larry Craig, I'm a Repub and have seen enough. Pled guilty in the criminal process, wants to re-think it....pleads guilty in the political arena by resigning, wants to re-think it. While the evidence may not support a criminal conviction (which he pled guilty to) the evidence (pleading guilty and not telling your wife, kids, political advisors et. al) speaks plenty to your guilt.

Larry, if you have any thoughts of re-postioning your decisions of the last few days...maybe it should be regarding your sexuality. Your family, constituents and you deserve an honest answer.

Stay strong Senator Craig! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

Pervert!

This desperate trial balloon will fly no higher than his ridiculous attempts at explaining his actions.

A fitting ending to a sad man. Oh no, I didn't mean to plead guilty! Oh NO! I didn't mean to resign! What next?

For the sake of preserving any dignity our Senate members (or political leaders) must display to our citizens, Sen. Craig should resign and end saving his career. Leaders in his position and influence in lawmaking must be held to a high standard and we need more examples of doing the right thing. Sen. Craig admitted (mail-in plea) and had the resources and time to make the right decision. He made his decision and must pay the consequences. Making his situation go away is by no means an argument for him to continue his service as a Senator. I feel if he wins support and does retain his seat, this sends a very bad message to our youth, that making decisions to hide the skeletons in your closet is acceptable. This is a lawmaker... there can be no mistakes in morals, but more importantly he has shown extremely bad judgment in this situation and based on this alone, I would not want him to represent me.

My assumption,he was ill advised, the results are devastating to the least, in his behalf. Think about it, this happenned in June, why a big stir now?

You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't resign and then say, "I shouldn't have resigned because I'm really innocent."

I believe Sen. Craig should fight the charges against him. This is obviously a case of entrapment by the Police. What are the chances that a undercover Police Officer would be in the bathroom? If Sen. Craid did tap the Officers foot, did the Officer have to tap back? I am becoming very leary of the Police in this country. It is evident that Sen. Craig made some bad choices, however I don't believe a police witch hunt on the Senator was appropriate. I believe he was set up. Pure and simple. This is a case of making a mountain out of a mole hill.

CNN you keep reporting about what craig has pleaded to and thats good. However, somewhat redundent.How about weather or not he does his job? or how well? Also how many gay men are in a position of goverment?Does this really determin how well he can perform his job?I see EGG IN THE FACE COMING are you shure that it wasent a set up !!!!!!Think about it!!!!

how long does it take for a senator to get from the last security check point to a gate?

Regarding the report on Senator Larry Craig “rethinking” his resignation, my swag is that he’s looking for a “payoff” for going quietly.

Phone lines between Idaho and Senator Mitch McConnell are probably burning up.

What does Larry “really” want?

An Idaho “boondoggle” like that Alaska Bridge to Nowhere?

A final say or the only say in his replacement?

Or just cold, hard cash?

To gauge just how badly the Repugs want him gone, watch for “how big” and not just “what”.

Don't resign Larry, playing footsie is not a crime, and foot tapping is not a crime, even in a Minneapolis airport men's restroom with a cop bent on entrapment.

Please just go. You are not believable. Save what's left of your dignity.

this guy is realy sick people – at first i was not HEATED because he would resign – now that he is changing his mind rases even more questions. this guy does not have good judgment! how dumb can he i guess were are to belive he was intrapped into resigning? Larry Craig and Specter are laughable i have lost all respect for spector and now hope he is replaced with a dem due to his aiding and abetting. spector looks so stupid protecting this guy it makes you wonder if the guy is on drugs!

no surprise, he is reconsidering his guilty plea after all. hope this doesn't mean he'll reconsider any votes he does too lol

I hope Senator Craig stays... just to hear the left howl!

"I'm guilty."
"I regret pleading guilty"
"I'm going to resign"
"I might not resign"

And we wonder why nothing gets done in Washington.

This is good. Let's keep this in the news.

jack jett

Good grief. Senator "Wide Stance" is reconsidering. It's sad that this is what a gay man must do to keep his perceived dignity. The senator is clearly gay or bi and very ashamed of it. Anyone who thinks this was just a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time is dreaming. He gave multiple signals, that are very clear, to an under cover cop. Oh and so very coincidentally, he's been under investigation by the Idaho Statesman for his gay hookups before this....and was "outed" by a gay blogger. And was talked about as possibly involved with a gay page scandal years ago.... coincidence? Ummm, not.

Craig reconsidering resigning...I say this, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If Craig has to resign for, how did McCain put it, 'Conduct unbecoming of a senator,' because he plead guilty to a crime; then shouldn't Kennedy also have resigned after Chappaquiddick? Or was that more becoming of a senator...
Perhaps that's why I'm an independant

(In 1964) The New York Times editorialized that "there can be no place on the White House staff or in the upper echelons of government for a person of markedly deviant behavior."

It is TIME to restore FAITH in AMERICA.

http://www.GrassoForPresident.com

I like to see the Senator take that plea back and beat that officer in court. I am sick of the tricks that police officers play and how they trap you. Terrible judgement by the Senator in pleading guilty but, in a situation like that I don't even know how I would have reacted. Fight this Senator.

Sen Craig is worse than John Kerry... talk about flip flopping. First headmitted to doing it then he said he didnt. Then he said he will quit and is now going to reconsider that.... make up your mind so we can all get on with life and not have to hear about it anymore.

Well, it's hard to say I'm surprised. The power of the Senate is even a greater aphrodisiac than the cold tile and steel of public men's rooms. Senator Craig has no shame. It's difficult to imagine a more disappointing chain of events than Senator Craig has brought about.

Way to go, Larry.

Keep the country focused on your bathroom escapades – that will help your reputation and the future of the GOP.

Nothing like good old fashioned food fight in the Republican cafeteria to stimulate voters.

You've gotta be kidding..........

dont rethink... just dont cave in... you will look more guilty. whether you did or didnt isnt the issue... dont let anyone railroad you out of town

info@insomniacscoffeehouse.com

Way to go, Larry, come back and destroy the republican party!

what an idiot!

Well. If he didn't do it, he never should have plead guilty the first time. That was a serious mistake. Having said that, I can see why he would have. He was probably trying to avoid going through the very thing that he is going through right now!

The law will decide if he successfully reverses his plea, but personally I am willing to reserve judgment on the man and give him a chance to defend himself properly this time.

I wonder, is there any possibility that the sting that led to his arrest was a politically motivated setup?

ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com

The story should read: After his arrest and conviction. The word conviction was not in there!

We democrats can only hope that Senator Craig decides to stay in the senate and fight for his seat. We welcome the chance to enjoy another year to expose the country to this low life in the GOP. Please reconsider !!

The darkness that Senator Craig has shed over his seat is matched only by that within the closet he refuses to step out off. Give it a rest Senator and let the good people of Idaho move on.

I want to see this poor slob self-destruct even further in full view of a hostile GOP, public and press. He gives closet preeves an even worse image than they already have.

Here's the deal: If any sound person listens to the tape recording of his arrest. The arresting officer's case seems very very weak. Unless, there's other reported information to suggest a pattern of perverted behavior. I say fight for your job. I'm sure there are some Senators and everyday folk who read the storyline and then changed their opinion after hearing the taped incident. Oh yeah, there are many purported examples of cops fabricating stories to support their case! At best, I'm very skeptical.

Can you take back a vote? NO. so you should not be able to take back a resignation either. Be professional, follow through and leave....

It's plain and simple folks. He admitted guilt... regardless of his reasons... he is on public record, admitting guilt. If he chooses to stay in the Senate, after already declaring his resignation, I would hope that the Senate Leaders would choose to have him removed.

His offense, whether it's true guilt of the crime or not... is also stupidity. He chose to plead guilty... And now, that the personal and political repercussions are obvious.. he is trying to find a way to save face.

End of story. He's finished politically... and would do best to get out of the limelight, and allow someone else to begin campaigning for his job. He is only adding another layer of filth to the RNC and the Party in General.

I hope someone is keeping track of the headlines so far:

-Larry Craig reconsidering his guilty plea.
-Larry Craig reconsidering his sexual orientation.
-Larry Craig reconsidering his resignation.

Is anyone noticing a pattern? Sorry Larry, those are all things you can't change, sucker!

Wow... what guts you have. To campaign on such conservative issues, only to get busted for something not only illegal.. but immoral.

It is clear that based on past ivestigations in to possible sexual misconduct on your part and now in recent restroom events, this cannot and should not go ignored by the Senate, Senate oversight cmte. and The President. You used your elected position of Senator (flashing your senate creds) to try to get out of jail free. Shame on you.

Such bad press you bring to your party. Too many Republicans feel the need to rally against someone like Bill Clinton (for a morals issue) however those same Republicans cannot hold themselves to the same standard? What gives?

In any other job... if you were anyone else... you'd have been escorted to the door... and asked never to return.

Larry, just come out of the closet!

Are you kidding me???? First off you can't unring a bell and you should not take the advice of Arlen Specter. He was the same fool who came up with the Magic Bullet theory to explain the Kennedy Assination.

Give it up Larry. You can not admit guilt then claim you were not guilty. Now you want to quit and then say what? You didn't know why you were quitting.

Just pull the band aid off fast and quick so we can drop your sorry excuse off the news radar.

This guy really sticks to his guns! First he pleads guilty to the misdemeanor charges against him, then he publicly says he shouldn't have done so. Later, he makes a speech saying he wasn't gay and that people were after him in something of a 'witchhunt.' Then he resigs and apologizes for his actions. After all this, he new reconsiders his resignation–sounds more like a crazy person and, hopefully, less like a Senator.

I guess Senator Craig just has trouble deciding which side he is on...

I am a democrat and even though he is a republican, I don't believe Senator Craig should resign unless he is PROVEN guilty. I feel that he was invloved in an entrapment sting which I feel should be illegal. Are there any other gay incidents involving him?

If he is so innocent, then he should stand up and fight... if the voters want him out, then then can choose to no elect him next term... until then, I dont see anyone calling for resignation for the congressmen that are linked to hookers

This guy is a sick puppy. He should be seeking therapy.

Great! Now a Democratic opponent will have an even better chance to snag his seat. Woops! Maybe I should have used a more apropriate phrase?

Run Larry, Run!!!!!!

Mercy, make up your mind already. First he pleads guilty then pleads ignorance, then he resigns and is rethinking that decision too? I'm glad I don't live in the State of Idaho.